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ATM Safety

Be aware of your surroundings, especially between dusk and dawn. If you notice anything suspicious - a security light out, someone loitering nearby - consider coming back later or using an ATM inside a supermarket or convenience store.

If using the ATM at night, take someone with you.

Park in a well-lit area as close as possible to the ATM.

At a drive-through ATM, be sure the doors are locked and the passenger windows are rolled up.

If you withdraw cash, put it away promptly; count it later, in private.

Shield the keypad when entering your PIN to keep it from being observed.

Avoid being too regular in your ATM use - don't repeatedly visit the same machine at the same time, the same day of the week.

Vehicle Security

Although a professional car thief can defeat most security measures and quickly break into and steal a locked vehicle, most vehicle thefts and break-ins are carried out by amateurs who take advantage of the carelessness of drivers in leaving vehicles unlocked, valuables in sight, etc. Security conscious drivers lose less than those who are careless. According to the FBI, most cars are stolen because they are easy to steal. Eighty percent of all cars stolen last year were unlocked at the time. And 40 percent actually had the keys in the ignition.

The tips in this section deal with preventing vehicle theft or break-ins, and preventing vandalism. You can significantly enhance the security of your vehicles by following them.

Preventing Theft or Break-ins

The following tips help prevent vehicle break-ins, which could lead to theft of the vehicle itself or of property items from the vehicle.

Park in open, well-lighted, and populated areas near your destination. Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, and other objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places. Avoid parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles.

Park in lots or garages where you don’t have to leave your keys.

Park in your garage, if you have one. Don’t leave your vehicle on the street, in an alley, or on your driveway. If you have to park on a street, avoid dark or isolated areas.

Turn off your engine, roll up all windows, lock all doors, and take your keys with you even if you are making a quick stop at a store or gas station, or even in your driveway. Close all windows and lock the trunk and hood.

Don’t leave your vehicle in an unattended public lot for an extended period time.

Buy a vehicle with interior hood and truck lock releases. Install a secondary hood lock if your car does not have one.

Replace knob-type door lock buttons with tapered ones.

Install an alarm system that will sound when someone attempts to break in, move, tilt, or start your vehicle. Always activate the system when leaving the vehicle.

Check your vehicle if you hear the alarm sound. But don’t try to stop a person attempting to break in. Get a good description of the person and call the police.

To prevent theft of the vehicle itself:

Turn your wheels sharply toward the curb when parking on a street.

Use anti-theft devices that can be attached to the steering wheel or column, or brake pedal. Use one every time you leave your vehicle unattended. Steering wheel locks are inexpensive and are recommended by some experts to be the most cost-effective theft deterrent on the market today.

Install fuel or power cut-off switches.

Buy a vehicle with a locking ignition or steering column.

Chain motorcycles and bicycles to stationary objects when unattended.

Consider having your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) etched on all the windows.

To prevent the theft of property from a vehicle:

Never leave any contents or valuables in plain sight. Remove cellular phones, audio systems, computers, packages, sport equipment, cameras, purses, etc. Lock them in the trunk before you park or take them with you. And if you can’t replace an item, don’t leave it anywhere in your vehicle.

Install locking devices on batteries, wheels, audio equipment, etc.

Make several slices through your license plate registration sticker after it has been placed on the plate. If the plate or sticker is stolen, call the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) immediately to report the loss and get replacements.